Loss of MeCP2 Function Across Several Neuronal Populations Impairs Breathing Response to Acute Hypoxia

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function of the transcriptional regulator Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2). In addition to the characteristic loss of hand function and spoken language after the first year of life, people with RTT also have a variety of physiological and autonomic abnormalities including disrupted breathing rhythms characterized by bouts of hyperventilation and an increased frequency of apnea. These breathing abnormalities, that likely involve alterations in both the circuitry underlying respiratory pace making and those underlying breathing response to environmental stimuli, may underlie the sudden unexpected death seen in a significant fraction of people with RTT. In fact, mice lacking MeCP2 function exhibit abnormal breathing rate response to acute hypoxia and maintain a persistently elevated breathing rate rather than showing typical hypoxic ventilatory decline that can be observed among their wild-type littermates. Using genetic and pharmacological tools to better understand the course of this abnormal hypoxic breathing rate response and the neurons driving it, we learned that the abnormal hypoxic breathing response is acquired as the animals mature, and that MeCP2 function is required within excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory populations for a normal hypoxic breathing rate response. Furthermore, mice lacking MeCP2 exhibit decreased hypoxia-induced neuronal activity within the nucleus tractus solitarius of the dorsal medulla. Overall, these data provide insight into the neurons driving the circuit dysfunction that leads to breathing abnormalities upon loss of MeCP2. The discovery that combined dysfunction across multiple neuronal populations contributes to breathing dysfunction may provide insight into sudden unexpected death in RTT.

Gut dysbacteriosis and intestinal disease: mechanism and treatment

The gut microbiome functions like an endocrine organ, generating bioactive metabolites, enzymes or small molecules that can impact host physiology. Gut dysbacteriosis is associated with many intestinal diseases including (but not limited to) inflammatory bowel disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis-IBD, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, osmotic diarrhoea and colorectal cancer. The potential pathogenic mechanism of gut dysbacteriosis associated with intestinal diseases includes the alteration of composition of gut microbiota as well as the gut microbiota-derived signalling molecules. The many correlations between the latter and the susceptibility for intestinal diseases has placed a spotlight on the gut microbiome as a potential novel target for therapeutics. Currently, faecal microbial transplantation, dietary interventions, use of probiotics, prebiotics and drugs are the major therapeutic tools utilized to impact dysbacteriosis and associated intestinal diseases. In this review, we systematically summarized the role of intestinal microbiome in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases. The potential mechanism of the complex interplay between gut dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases, and the treatment methods are also highlighted.

Caspase-3 inhibitor inhibits enterovirus D68 production

Enterovirus D68 (EVD68) is an emerging pathogen that recently caused a large worldwide outbreak of severe respiratory disease in children. However, the relationship between EVD68 and host cells remains unclear. Caspases are involved in cell death, immune response, and even viral production. We found that caspase-3 was activated during EVD68 replication to induce apoptosis. Caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) inhibited viral production, protected host cells from the cytopathic effects of EVD68 infection, and prevented EVD68 from regulating the host cell cycle at G0/G1. Meanwhile, caspase-3 activator (PAC-1) increased EVD68 production. EVD68 infection therefore activates caspase-3 for virus production. This knowledge provides a potential direction for the prevention and treatment of disease related to EVD68.

FRI0271 IMPACT OF HLA-B27 STATUS ON CLINICAL OUTCOMES AMONG PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS TREATED WITH SECUKINUMAB

Background:

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is strongly associated with the genetic marker HLA-B27. Approximately 80%-90% of white patients with AS express HLA-B27 compared with < 8% of the general population. In patients with AS, negative HLA-B27 status is a predictor of worse response to TNFis.1The impact of HLA-B27 status on clinical efficacy of secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits IL-17A, has not been studied.

Objectives:

To analyze the impact of HLA-B27 status on clinical outcomes at Week 16 in patients with AS treated with secukinumab vs placebo.

Methods:

Patients with AS were pooled from the MEASURE 1-4 studies (NCT01358175,NCT01649375,NCT02008916, andNCT02159053) and stratified by HLA-B27 status. All trials included patients who received secukinumab 150 mg every 4 weeks with or without an initial loading dose (10 mg/kg IV at Weeks 0, 2, 4 or 150 mg SC at Weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3) or placebo control. MEASURE 3 included patients receiving secukinumab 300 mg every 4 weeks following the initial IV loading dose. Efficacy at Week 16 was determined by the proportion of patients achieving ASAS20/40, ASAS5/6, ASAS partial remission, BASDAI50, ASDAS-CRP < 2.1, ASDAS-CRP < 1.3, and improvement in Patient Global Assessment (VAS) and total spinal/back pain (VAS) scores. In MEASURE 1, 2, and 4, quality of life (QOL) was assessed at Week 16 by the SF-36 PCS, SF-36 MCS, and ASQOL. ASAS, BASDAI, and ASDAS-CRP responses were analyzed by nonresponder imputation, and all other outcomes by mixed models for repeated measures. For hypothesis generation, outcomes at Week 16 with secukinumab vs placebo within HLA-B27 strata were compared by logistic regression analysis without adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Results:

Baseline characteristics were balanced across treatment groups, although more HLA-B27+ patients than HLA-B27− patients were male (71%-73% vs 43%-50%). HLA-B27+ patients receiving any dose of secukinumab were significantly more likely to achieve ASAS, BASDAI50, and ASDAS-CRP responses vs those receiving placebo (P< .05; Figure 1). HLA-B27− patients receiving secukinumab 300 mg were significantly more likely to achieve ASAS40, ASAS partial remission (Figure 1A), and BASDAI50 (Figure 1B) responses than those receiving placebo (P< .05). Patients receiving any dose of secukinumab were more likely to achieve ASAS5/6 and ASDAS-CRP < 2.1 than those receiving placebo, regardless of HLA-B27 status (P< .05; Figure 1B). All secukinumab-treated patients experienced significant improvement in Patient Global Assessment at Week 16 vs placebo, regardless of HLA-B27 status, while only HLA-B27+ patients experienced significant reduction in total spinal/back pain vs placebo (P< .05; Figure 2A). Numerical improvements in QOL were observed in all patients receiving secukinumab 150 mg vs placebo; these reached significance for HLA-B27+ patients (Figure 2B).

Conclusion:

Secukinumab is effective in patients with AS regardless of HLA-B27 status; HLA-B27+ patients may derive increased therapeutic benefit compared with HLA-B27− patients.

Reference:

[1]Alazmi M, et al.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70:1393-9.

Acknowledgments:

This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The authors thank Rich Karpowicz, PhD, of Health Interactions, Inc, for providing medical writing support/editorial support, which was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines (http://www.ismpp.org/gpp3).

Disclosure of Interests:

Atul Deodhar Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS), Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS), Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Philip J Mease Grant/research support from: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB – grant/research support, Consultant of: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB – consultant, Speakers bureau: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Janssen, Pfizer, UCB – speakers bureau, Denis Poddubnyy Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis, and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Renato Calheiros Shareholder of: Novartis, Employee of: Novartis, Xiangyi Meng Shareholder of: Novartis, Employee of: Novartis, Vibeke Strand Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celltrion, Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America, Crescendo Bioscience, Eli Lilly, Genentech/Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, UCB, Marina Magrey Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, and UCB, Consultant of: Eli Lilly and Novartis

THU0397 SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERAL ARTHRITIS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS TREATED WITH SECUKINUMAB

Background:

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton associated with pain, stiffness, and disability.1Up to 66% of patients (pts) with AS may also have peripheral involvement, including swollen and tender joints (STJs),2,3which are associated with worse overall disease activity.4A previous analysis showed that secukinumab, a selective inhibitor of interleukin 17A, led to significant improvements in efficacy outcomes vs placebo, regardless of peripheral joint involvement.3However, the effect of secukinumab on symptoms of peripheral arthritis in pts with AS was not assessed.

Objectives:

The objective of this analysis was to assess changes in peripheral symptoms in pts with AS treated with secukinumab vs placebo.

Methods:

Data from pts with active AS and peripheral symptoms who were enrolled in MEASURE 1 (NCT01358175), 2 (NCT01649375), 3 (NCT02008916), and 4 (NCT02159053) were pooled in this post hoc, hypothesis-generating analysis. No adjustments for multiple comparisons were made. Pts with peripheral symptoms were identified by the presence of STJs, based on 44-joint counts at baseline (BL). Pts received subcutaneous (SC) secukinumab every 4 weeks at doses of 300 mg with an intravenous (IV) loading dose (MEASURE 3 only), 150 mg with an IV or SC loading dose, or placebo. Treatment response through Week 16 was assessed based on the proportions of pts who achieved improvements of 20%, 50%, 70%, or 100% in the number of swollen and number of tender joints and improvements in the BASDAI score for question 3 and Patient Global Assessment (PGA). Changes in the number of swollen and number of tender joints were assessed in pts with swollen or tender joints at BL, respectively.

Results:

This pooled analysis included 560 pts with AS and STJs at BL (Table). At Week 16, treatment with secukinumab led to significantly greater proportions of pts achieving reductions in the number of swollen (Fig 1A) or tender (Fig 1B) joints compared with placebo; the treatment effect was more pronounced in reduction of swollen joints. Furthermore, a greater proportion of secukinumab-treated pts achieved complete resolution of swollen or tender joints vs placebo (Fig 1). Secukinumab also led to significant improvements in peripheral pain/swelling (Fig 2A) and disease activity (Fig 2B) vs placebo, as assessed using BASDAI question 3 and the PGA, respectively.

Table.

Patient Characteristics at Baseline

SecukinumabPlacebo (n = 252)300 mg (n = 52)150 mg (n = 256)Age, mean, y43.643.744.9Time since diagnosis, mean, y5.67.27.3Male, %63.562.157.5PGA of Disease Activity, mean, mm73.471.770.1BASDAI question 3, mean6.36.66.4Swollen 44-joint count, mean1.92.62.5Tender 44-joint count, mean7.17.87.9

Conclusion:

In parallel with its previously reported efficacy in axial symptoms,3secukinumab led to significant improvements in symptoms of peripheral arthritis in pts with AS. Significant improvements were seen in both tender and swollen joints.

References:

[1]Braun J, Sieper J.Lancet. 2007;369:1379-1390.

[2]de Winter JJ, et al.Arthritis Res Ther. 2016;18:196.

[3]Mease P, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019;71(suppl 10):1553.

[4]de Winter JJ, et al.RMD Open. 2019;5:e000802.

Acknowledgments:

This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ. The authors thank Amos Race, PhD, of ArticulateScience LLC, Hamilton, NJ, USA, for providing medical writing/editorial support, which was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA, in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines (http://www.ismpp.org/gpp3).

Disclosure of Interests:

Philip J Mease Grant/research support from: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB – grant/research support, Consultant of: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB – consultant, Speakers bureau: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Janssen, Pfizer, UCB – speakers bureau, Atul Deodhar Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS), Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS), Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Renato Calheiros Shareholder of: Novartis, Employee of: Novartis, Xiangyi Meng Shareholder of: Novartis, Employee of: Novartis, Todd Fox Shareholder of: Novartis, Employee of: Novartis, Xenofon Baraliakos Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB and Werfen

CircRNA-PTN Sponges miR-326 to Promote Proliferation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Mounting evidences reveal that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical to regulate biological behavior and process of tumor. Our objective is to explore the role of circRNA-PTN (circPTN) and explain the exact mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect the level of circPTN and miR-326. The proliferation of cell was measured by CCK-8 assay and EdU assay. Western blot assay was performed to assess ErbB/PI3K expression. Luciferase and RNA pull-down assays were carried out to confirm the interaction between circPTN and miR-326.

Results

Our results indicated that circPTN was upregulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma tumor tissues and cell lines, compared with paratumor tissues and immortalized normal liver cell line. circPTN could significantly promote HCC tumor growth according to gain-and loss-of-function assays. Additionally, we determined that circPTN acted as a sponge through interacting with miR-326. Overexpression of miR-326 could rescue the cell proliferation inhibition and ErbB/PI3K downregulation in HCC cells by circPTN. Besides, the effects of miR-326 on HCC were missing when circPTN binding sites were mutated.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that circPTN acts as an oncogenic factor via sponging miR-326 in HCC.

Transcriptional regulation of heat shock protein 70 genes by class I histone deacetylases in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

The regulatory function of histone acetylation in the expression of genes encoding heat shock proteins (Hsps) has been documented in Drosophila melanogaster; however, knowledge of the role of acetylation in modulating Hsps in other insect pests is limited. In this study, two full-length cDNAs encoding inducible Hsp70 (designated TcHsp70) and heat shock cognate 70 (TcHsc70) were isolated and characterized in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. TcHsp70 and TcHsc70 cDNAs were 2256 and 2132 bp and encoded 1941- and 1893-bp open reading frames, respectively. The deduced TcHsp70 and TcHsc70 proteins contained 646 and 630 amino acids, respectively, and contained sequences typical of the Hsp70 family, including the EEVD motif for cytoplasmic localization. Expression patterns after heat shock indicated that TcHsp70 was strongly heat-inducible, whereas the expression level of TcHsc70 remained unchanged under heat shock. RNA interference-mediated knock-down of three genes encoding class I histone deacetylases differentially influenced both basal and heat shock inducible expression of TcHsp70 and TcHsc70, suggesting the involvement of histone acetylation in epigenetic regulation of Hsp70 transcription in T. castaneum.

Inhibition of microRNA-875-5p promotes radioiodine uptake in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma cells by upregulating sodium-iodide symporter

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is an endocrine malignancy that is challenging to treat due to its limited radioiodine uptake. microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have been shown to be useful in treating many types of tumors, including PDTC. This study aims to evaluate the potential effect of miR-875-5p on the radioiodine uptake of PDTC and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Expression of miR-875-5p and sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) in tissues and cell lines was determined using RT-qPCR. The binding relationship between miR-875-5p and NIS was predicted through in silico analysis and verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. A series of miR-875-5p mimic, miR-875-5p inhibitor, shRNA against NIS, and overexpressed NIS plasmids were introduced into PDTC cells. We then evaluated the cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and radioiodine uptake of each PDTC sample via CCK-8 assay, clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, and γ counter, respectively.

RESULTS

miR-875-5p was found to be highly expressed, but NIS was poorly expressed in DTC tissues and PDTC cell lines. NIS was verified to be a target gene of miR-875-5p. Upregulation of miR-875-5p was found to induce PDTC cell proliferation, and reduce apoptosis and radioiodine uptake in vitro through down-regulation of NIS. In an in vivo orthotopic model, the enhancement of miR-875-5p led to the reduction of NIS expression and radioiodine uptake in the thyroid tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, the findings of the current study suggest that down-regulated miR-875-5p expression could promote its target gene NIS to increase radioiodine uptake in PDTC, constituting a preventive strategy against PDTC.

Impact of Nutritional Indices on the Survival Outcomes of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background

The effect of preoperative nutritional status on the survival of patients with colorectal cancer is still unknown. The purpose of our study was to examine the impact of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), prealbumin (PAB) and the albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) on survival outcomes in patients with colon and rectal cancer.

Methods

Between January 2012 and December 2013, 361 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgery in the survey and various clinical and haematological parameters were recorded. The optimal cut-off values of the PNI, PAB and AGR were determined by MedCalc software, and Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the PNI, PAB and AGR on the overall survival (OS) of patients with colon and rectal cancer.

Results

In patients with colon and rectal cancer, a high PNI, PAB, and AGR correlate with higher survival times. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that at most time points, the PNI has a higher area under the curve (AUC) in predicting colon and rectal cancer OS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that of the PNI, PAB and AGR, only the PNI was an independent risk factor for OS in patients with colon and rectal cancer. Patients with a high PNI were predicted to have higher OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.233–0.985; P = 0.045) in colon cancer and higher OS (HR: 0.225; 95% CI: 0.111–0.454; P < 0.001) in rectal cancer compared with patients with a low PNI.

Conclusion

Preoperative PNI, PAB and AGR may be predictors of OS in patients with colon and rectal cancer after radical surgery, especially the PNI, which has a good ability to predict OS in both tumours.

PRDX2 plays an oncogenic role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via Wnt/β-catenin and AKT pathways

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of PRDX2 in esophageal carcinoma (ESCA).

METHODS

The expression of PRDX2 was detected in ESCA tissues. And PRDX2 expression in two ESCA cell lines was knocked down. Cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion were detected in these cells.

RESULTS

Here, we found that PRDX2 expression was significantly increased in ESCA tissues and was associated with a poor prognosis in ESCA patients. In addition, PRDX2 expression was significantly associated with pathological grading, infiltration degree and 5-year survival time in ESCA patients. Next, we knocked down PRDX2 expression by PRDX2-shRNA transfection in two ESCA cell lines, Eca-109 and TE-1. Proliferation analysis indicated that in vitro PRDX2 knockdown decreased growth and clone formation of ESCA cells. Scratch and transwell assays indicated that cell migration and invasion were significantly inhibited by PRDX2 knockdown. In addition, PRDX2 knockdown inhibited cell cycle of ESCA cells and down-regulated Cyclin D1-CDK4/6. Moreover, PRDX2 knockdown regulated proteins involved in mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, including increased Bax and Caspase9/3 and decreased Bcl2. Mechanism investigation indicated that PRDX2 knockdown led to inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin and AKT pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that PRDX2 may function as an oncogene in the development of ESCA via regulating Wnt/β-catenin and AKT pathways. Our study fills a gap in the understanding of the role of PRDX2 in ESCA and provides a potential target for ESCA treatment.

Coxsackievirus A6 Induces Necroptosis for Viral Production

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a febrile exanthematous disease with typical or atypical symptoms. Typical HFMD is usually caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) or coxsackievirus A16, while atypical HFMD is usually caused by coxsackievirus A6 (CA6). In recent years, worldwide outbreaks of CA6-associated HFMD have dramatically increased, although the pathogenic mechanism of CA6 is still unclear. EV71 has been established to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis, but in this study, we demonstrate that CA6 infection promotes a distinct pathway of cell death that involves loss of cell membrane integrity. Necrostatin-1, an inhibitor of necroptosis, blocks the cell death induced by CA6 infection, but Z-DEVD-FMK, an inhibitor of caspase-3, has no effect on CA6-induced cell death. Furthermore, CA6 infection up-regulates the expression of the necroptosis signaling molecule RIPK3. Importantly, necrostatin-1 inhibits CA6 viral production, as assessed by its ability to inhibit levels of VP1 protein and genomic RNA and infectious particles. CA6-induced necroptosis is not dependent on the generation of reactive oxygen species; however, viral 3D protein can directly bind RIPK3, which is suggestive of a direct mechanism of necroptosis induction. Therefore, these results indicate that CA6 induces a mechanism of RIPK3-dependent necroptosis for viral production that is distinct from the mechanism of apoptosis induced by typical HFMD viruses.

Bursectomy Versus Nonbursectomy for Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Single-Center, Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study in China

Background: The therapeutic value of bursectomy remains controversial for patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to explore the safety and survival benefits of bursectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 943 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were included in our study, and all patients were operated on by high-quality gastrointestinal surgeons. The factors associated with overall survival (OS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. In addition, patients in the bursectomy group and nonbursectomy group were matched with 1:1 propensity score matching for sex, age, tumor location, type of operation, tumor size, degree of differentiation, and pathological stage to reduce the possibility of choice bias. Results: Among the 943 eligible patients, 188 (19.9%) underwent bursectomy and 755 (80.1%) did not. In all patients, the number of retrieved lymph nodes (P = .0596), blood loss volume (P = .0896), operation time (P = .0747), number of postoperative complications (P = .626), and OS in the bursectomy group were similar to those in the nonbursectomy group. After a stratified analysis of TNM grade and T stage, it was found that bursectomy could lead to survival benefits for patients with stage T4 disease (P = .0398). Conclusions: Bursectomy does not increase the amount of blood loss, operation time, or incidence of postoperative complications. This procedure is an extended and safe surgical method for gastric adenocarcinoma. Bursectomy does not improve the survival of all patients, but for patients with stage T4 disease, bursectomy can provide survival benefits.

Impaired geometry, volumetric density, and microstructure of cortical and trabecular bone assessed by HR-pQCT in both sporadic and MEN1-related primary hyperparathyroidism

This study evaluated bone features of PHPT using HR-pQCT. The results showed both cortical and trabecular bones were significantly impaired in PHPT patients. Male and female PHPT patients suffered similar damages in bone. HR-pQCT indices were not observed to differ in MEN1 and sporadic PHPT patients.

INTRODUCTION

High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT is a novel imaging technique used to separately assess trabecular and cortical bone status of the radius and tibia in vivo. Using HR-pQCT, we aimed to evaluate bone features of primary hyperparathyroidism patients in a Chinese population and reveal similarities and differences in bone features in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-related PHPT and sporadic PHPT patients in the Chinese population.

METHODS

A case-control study was designed. In 58 PHPT patients and 58 sex- and age-matched healthy controls, the distal radius and tibia were scanned using HR-pQCT. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was also determined in PHPT patients using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

RESULTS

In comparison with controls, PHPT patients were observed to exhibit reduced volumetric BMD at the cortical and trabecular compartments, thinner cortices, and more widely spaced trabeculae. Significant differences were still observed when comparing data of female and male patients with age-matched controls separately. MHPT patients (n = 11) were found to have lower aBMD Z-scores in the lumbar spine, trochanteric region, and total hip compared with sporadic PHPT patients (n = 47), while no differences were observed in HR-pQCT indices between the two groups. In multiple linear regression models, no significant correlations were identified between PTH and HR-pQCT indices. However, height was found to positively correlate with HR-pQCT-derived trabecular indices at both the radius and tibia.

CONCLUSIONS

PHPT affects geometry, volumetric density, and microstructure in both the cortical and trabecular bones in both male and female Chinese patients. MHPT patients were observed to have reduced aBMD as determined by DXA in the lumbar spine and hip in comparison with sporadic PHPT patients. However, HR-pQCT indices were not observed to differ.

The combined effect of oleonuezhenide and wedelolactone on proliferation and osteoblastogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND

Regulation of the survival and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is an essential consideration in the development of targeted drugs for treatment of osteoporosis.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide, two compounds from Chinese formula Er-Zhi-Wan, on osteoblastogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

MTT assay was taken to evaluate cell proliferation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay was used to determine the activity of ALP. Alizarin red S (ARS) staining was taken to indicate the intensity of the calcium deposits. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to the levels of Runx2, Osteocalcin, and Osterix expression in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Ovariectomized mouse model and bone histomorphometric analysis were also used to research the effects of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide on bone loss caused by ovariectomy.

RESULTS

Wedelolactone combined with oleonuezhenide enhanced osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. Osteoblastogenesis-related marker genes including osteocalcin, Runx2, and osteorix were upregulated in the presence of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide. At the molecular level, oleonuezhenide did not affect GSK-3β phosphorylation induced by wedelolactone, but elevated casein kinase 2-alpha (CK2α) expression, resulting in β-catenin and Runx2 nuclear translocation. In addition, 30 µM wedelolactone-induced cytotoxicity in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was relieved by 9 µM oleonuezhenide. These cells were protected by oleonuezhenide and maintained osteoblastic activity. Oleonuezhenide increased Wnt5a and CK2α expression. Wedelolactone-reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was reversed by oleonuezhenide. In ovariectomized mice, administration of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss by enhancing osteoblastic activity.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that oleonuezhenide enhanced the effects of wedelolactone on osteoblastogenesis. These two compounds could be developed as a combined therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Isolation and characterization of Salmonella in pork samples collected from retail and wholesale markets in each season from 2016 to 2018 in Wuhan, China

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of Salmonella in pork on sale in Wuhan, Central China.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 4744 pork samples were collected from retail or wholesale markets in each season from 2016 to 2018. The samples showed an overall Salmonella prevalence of 19·54% (927/4744), among which the samples collected in 2017 (21·67%, 428/1975) possessed a significantly higher prevalence than those collected in 2016 (18·61%, 209/1123) (P = 0·047) or 2018 (17·51%, 290/1656) (P = 0·002), and the samples collected in winter showed the lowest prevalence (15·86%, 177/1116). The Salmonella prevalence was significantly higher among samples from retail markets (25·68%, 283/1102) than wholesale markets (17·68%, 644/3642) (P = 0·000). Antimicrobial resistance of 922 Salmonella strains was tested by determining the minimal inhibitory concentrations using a broth microdilution method. The strains revealed that 98·92% (912/922) were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents, and 80·04% (738/922) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials (MDR). Resistance to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (89·91%), tetracycline (87·20%) and ampicillin (71·69%) was predominant. The proportion of MDR strains in 2017 (93·62%, 396/423) was significantly higher than that in 2016 (63·16%, 132/209) (P = 0·000) or 2018 (69·66%, 202/290) (P = 0·000). No significant difference was observed in the proportions of MDR strains between wholesale markets (76·07%, 213/280) and retail markets (80·53%, 517/642) (P = 0·075). Multi-locus sequence typing for 554 of the isolates revealed 20 different sequence types (STs), among which ST40 (38·27%, 212/554), ST34 (18·41%, 102/554) and ST469 (14·46%, 79/554) were dominant.

CONCLUSIONS

A high risk of Salmonella prevalence and antimicrobial resistance was observed in pork in Wuhan. The risk varies between different sampling years, seasons and market types.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Providing baseline data on Salmonella contamination in pork on sale in Central China.

Aβ1-42 regulates astrocytes through JNK/AP-1 pathway

OBJECTIVE

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), astrocytes are generally found in the surrounding of senile plaques participating in the production of phagocytosis and the removal of toxic compounds such as Aβ. This study aimed at investigating the effect of Aβ1-42 on astrocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cellular viability of primary cultured astrocytes was analyzed using CCK-8 assay. Quantitative Real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of JNK and AP-1. The proteins of JNK/AP-1 pathway were investigated using Western blot.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that Aβ1-42 inhibited cell viability and promoted apoptosis in astrocytes in primary culture. Additionally, Aβ1-42 increased the mRNA expression level of AP-1, but had no effect on the expression of JNK. Furthermore, Aβ1-42 increased the protein expression of p-JNK, p-c-jun and Fra-1 and the ratio of p-c-jun/c-jun and p-JNK/JNK.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that Aβ1-42 promoted cell apoptosis in astrocytes in primary culture. Furthermore, Aβ1-42 activated JNK/AP-1 pathway through promoting the phosphorylation of JNK, c-jun and Fra-1 expression, then inducing cell apoptosis.

Treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma through ultrasound-guided microwave ablation

Objective

To study the clinical effect of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation on primary hepatic carcinoma.

Method

The subjects comprised 94 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma who were admitted to our hospital between August 2014 and November 2016. They were divided into two groups in accordance with a random-number table. The control (n = 47) and study (n = 47) groups received conventional surgical excision and ultrasound-guided microwave ablation, respectively. The operation duration, clinical effect, complication occurrence rates, and hepatic functions of the two groups were compared.

Results

The control group exhibited longer duration of operation and length of stay but significantly lower quantities of intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion (P < 0.05) than the study group. The study group demonstrated significantly higher (P < 0.05) effective rate of treatment but significantly lower (P < 0.05) occurrence rate of complications than the control group. The study group exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) albumin and total bilirubin levels but significantly lower alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase levels than the control group. No difference was observed in prothrombin time between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation treatment offers the advantages of minor injury and low complication occurrence rates. Moreover, it is associated with faster postoperative recovery and improved hepatic function. Thus, it is worthy as a clinical option and must be promoted and applied.